Plea Deal In Theft Case For Former Councilwoman

HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) — A former Hagerstown city councilwoman has entered an Alford plea on a felony theft charge related to more than $12,000 owed to the grandchildren of a woman who died in 2011.

The Herald-Mail reports that Kelly Cromer entered the plea Thursday, maintaining her innocence while acknowledging prosecutors have enough evidence to convict her. In exchange, the remaining charges against Cromer were dismissed.

Prosecutors had alleged that Cromer, an attorney, stole thousands of dollars from a woman’s estate and two of her grandchildren.

Cromer was elected to the City Council in 2005, but didn’t win her party’s nomination for a second term.

Cromer faces up to 15 years at sentencing on April 4, but prosecutors say if Cromer pays restitution they won’t oppose a request for probation before judgment.
——
(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)